Leaders | American politics

Joe Biden should now give way to an alternative candidate

His last and greatest political act would help rescue America from an emergency

The American flag as a fire alarm adorned with the words 'break glass in case of emergency'.
Illustration: Ricardo Rey

IN NOVEMBER 2022 The Economist said that, after a lifetime of public service, Joe Biden should not seek re-election as president. In January this year we put our concerns on the cover. But even those worried about his age were not prepared for Thursday’s debate against Donald Trump. Over 90 agonising minutes, Mr Biden was befuddled and incoherent—too infirm, frankly, to cope with another four years in the world’s hardest job.

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